King James Version

What Does Joshua 23:9 Mean?

Joshua 23:9 in the King James Version says “For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand be...” — study this verse from Joshua chapter 23 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. For the LORD: or, Then the LORD will drive”

Joshua 23:9 · KJV

Context

7

That ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow yourselves unto them:

8

But cleave unto the LORD your God, as ye have done unto this day. But cleave: or, For if ye will cleave, etc

9

For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. For the LORD: or, Then the LORD will drive

10

One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fighteth for you, as he hath promised you.

11

Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that ye love the LORD your God. yourselves: Heb. your souls

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the LORD hath driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man hath been able to stand before you unto this day. This verse provides motivation for continued obedience by recounting past victories. The phrase "great nations and strong" (goyim gedolim va'atsumim, גּוֹיִם גְּדֹלִים וַעֲצוּמִים) uses terms emphasizing both size and military power. Israel faced numerically superior forces with advanced technology (iron chariots, fortified cities), yet prevailed through divine intervention.

The declaration "no man hath been able to stand before you" (lo-amad ish bifneikhem, לֹא־עָמַד אִישׁ בִּפְנֵיכֶם) fulfills God's promise in Joshua 1:5: "There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life." The Hebrew amad (עָמַד, to stand) implies maintaining position in battle—none could withstand Israel's God-empowered advance. This unbroken victory record testified to divine faithfulness.

The phrase "unto this day" (ad ha-yom ha-zeh, עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה) appears frequently in Joshua (4:9; 5:9; 6:25; 7:26; 8:28-29), marking enduring evidence of God's past acts. These monuments, practices, or testimonies served as perpetual witnesses to divine intervention. The phrase also appears in Matthew 28:15, indicating how the expression persisted in Hebrew usage. Such remembrance markers prevent forgetfulness and ingratitude, guarding covenant loyalty across generations.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The "great nations and strong" included formidable military powers. Hazor, destroyed by Joshua (11:10-11), was the largest Canaanite city-state, with an estimated population of 20,000-40,000 at its peak. Its king Jabin commanded a coalition of northern kings with "horses and chariots very many" (11:4). Jerusalem's walls were so formidable that they weren't breached until David's conquest centuries later (2 Samuel 5:6-9).

Israel's consistent victories defied normal military logic. Deuteronomy 7:7 states, "The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people." Israel's small population, recently freed slave background, and lack of advanced weaponry made their conquest impossible without divine aid. This fulfilled God's purpose—that the victory would clearly display His power, not human strength (Deuteronomy 7:17-24).

The unbroken string of victories "unto this day" covered approximately 20-30 years from Jordan crossing to Joshua's farewell. During this period, only one battle was lost—at Ai, and that due to Achan's sin (Joshua 7). Once the covenant violation was addressed, victories resumed. This pattern demonstrated the direct connection between covenant faithfulness and military success in the theocratic period.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does reviewing God's past faithfulness in your life strengthen your confidence for current and future challenges?
  2. What "monuments" or remembrance practices can you establish to preserve testimony of God's works for future generations?
  3. How should the reality that past victories came through God's power, not human strength, shape your approach to present spiritual battles?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
וַיּ֤וֹרֶשׁ1 of 14

“hath driven out”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

יְהוָה֙2 of 14

“For the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בִּפְנֵיכֶ֔ם3 of 14

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

גּוֹיִ֖ם4 of 14

“nations”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

גְּדֹלִ֣ים5 of 14

“you great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וַֽעֲצוּמִ֑ים6 of 14

“and strong”

H6099

powerful (specifically, a paw); by implication, numerous

וְאַתֶּ֗ם7 of 14
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

לֹא8 of 14
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עָ֤מַד9 of 14

“hath been able to stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

אִישׁ֙10 of 14

“but as for you no man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

בִּפְנֵיכֶ֔ם11 of 14

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

עַ֖ד12 of 14
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַיּ֥וֹם13 of 14

“you unto this day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּֽה׃14 of 14
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Joshua. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Joshua 23:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Joshua 23:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Joshua 1:5Deuteronomy 11:23Joshua 23:5Exodus 23:30Joshua 1:8-9Joshua 21:43-44

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